Excellent idea on eggs

How often do you hear people say “That’s a great idea!” about things happening in Congress? Probably not that often. But one of the most recent bills introduced in Congress is something to support if you eat at least one of the 76 billion eggs America’s hens produce each year.

The proposed law, (H.R. 3798 and S.B. 3239), is an amendment to the four-decades-old Egg Products Inspection Act. The bill would require the gradual replacement of conventional cages for egg-laying hens with new housing that provides nearly twice the space per hen, as well as other enrichments such as perches, nesting boxes and scratching areas.

The bill would eliminate the duplicative and conflicting state laws that are confusing to consumers, grocers, restaurateurs and farmers. This sensible approach is supported by egg farmers like me; more than 40 state egg and farm organizations including our family farm here in Mentone, Ind.; 10 animal protection groups like the Humane Society of the United States and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; scientific groups like the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Association of Avian Pathologists; and consumer groups like the National Consumers League and Consumer Federation of America.

This story appears in the print edition of The Tribune. Subscribers can read the entire story online by signing in here or in our e-Edition by clicking here.